We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Laurie Bernitt | Owner of Jungle Cat Plant Shop

In June of 2020, my partner and I ended up moving out of our 1500 sqft. house and into a 500 sqft. apartment in downtown Seattle. Along with the move came all of our 75+ houseplants, turning our new space into a literal jungle. In the hight of the pandemic and confined in a new space in downtown Seattle, I started to daydream hardcore about doing my own thing, starting my own business. Read more>>

Chrissy & Hannah Howell | Mother & Daughter Crochet Duo

I think the main reason was one that a lot of us shared when the COVID shutdowns happened, we all started pursuing what brought us joy when we were confided to our space. After the first year of the shutdowns my mom, and business partner, decided to retire from teaching. Read more>>

Danny Minard | Freelance Cinematographer

Freedom. I wanted to break away from the restraints of a full time employer. I found jobs that were very fulfilling, however they were all positions where I had very little freedom of choice with what I was shooting. I wanted to be able to work on different projects involving a variety of subjects. Read more>>

Ale Sierra | Photographer

I always knew that I wanted to be a photographer. When I was 4 years old, my mom gave me a purple Mickey Mouse disposable camera and that’s when I knew. Time passed by and I was the typical teenager that documented all of her and her friends lives… the mall, parties, clubs, trips… I just couldn’t leave my camera home. I felt that keeping every moment was what I had to do, was my mission in those years. After high school I lived in Paris for six months and there I reaffirmed my decision… Read more>>

Taylor Ward | Graphic Designer, UGC Creator and Small Business Owner

I started a small business back in 2021 well in college. I finished my first year of college at Kansas City Art Institute and then moved back home, once home I found out I was pregnant and it changed a lot of things. I transferred to Academy of Art Institute online studying Art Education. I not longer enjoyed that school or the degree path I was pursuing so I found Southern New Hampshire University and graduated there July of 2022 with a BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts. Read more>>

 Katherine Soll | Not for Profit Founder and CEO

The way this all began was when my children were in high school and middle school. They, like most NYC students, had community service as part of their graduation requirement, which was a great thing, but their schools did not provide a pipeline through which they could participate in meaningful service alongside other teens while learning about the social justice challenges and inequities that made community service necessary as well as the many agencies and organizations providing these services as a course of business. Read more>>

Celsie Sussex | Owner of Bear Mountain Beef Inc & Bear Mountain Meat Sales LLC

We stared selling bulk beef ( whole half and quarters of cattle) in 2019 as a side business to our ranch. Cattle prices were very low and all of the local ranchers were struggling to make ends meet. Fast forward to covid 19 and the lack of product on the shelves we were selling beef so fast we couldnt process enough to keep up. We were hauling our animals 300 plus miles to many different processors and decided at that point to build or own processing facility. Read more>>

Maddie Salerno | Artist, Vintage Fashion Buyer & Graphic Designer

The thought process behind starting my own business was an inevitable aspect of the leap of faith I made when moving out to Colorado a couple of years ago. I was doing graphic design and social media for restaurants in Kansas City and when I made the move to Denver, I decided to go fully freelance (while keeping this job as my first client). Read more>>

DeAnna Wagner | Student, artist, and host.

Starting Pink Beetle was honestly a whim. I really loved first Fridays here in Colorado Springs and I have known so many artists who can’t partake because of financial or time based reasons. I get it, I’m a college student with a house she’s fixing up. Time and money is important! So I wanted to make a safe place for those artists who want to take baby steps into the career field. Just like me! Read more>>

Shane Turgeon | Photographer & Multi-discipline Entrepreneur

I have four businesses, some with multiple brands associated with them. Each one was born from different ideas, needs and points in my life but ultimately each come back to the singular idea that I could no longer work for someone else in a wage or salary-based system that seems designed more to stifle living than encouraging it. Working5 days a week, having the same 2 days off as everyone else, only getting 2 weeks vacation a year – if that – is not an appealing way to live for me. Read more>>

Hannah Eining | Artist & Owner of Drift Art Studio

I started Drift Art Studio as an outlet for the art I love to create. I realized early on that my home could not continue to be a shrine full of art that was taking over and that I should start to share this with others. I have always been a maker, cycling through various artistic forms at different stages of my life. Though my business has currently taken on the form of fiber art, I love so many other mediums. Read more>>

Dante Liberato | MMA Coach, Spinal Hygienist, Medicine Man & Psychosomatic coach

Growing up, I always wanted to be of service to others and create a lasting impact in my community. To be honest, the opportunity fell into my lap to build my own business. Through years of networking, offering my craft free of charge and focusing around truly helping other humans realize their potential, I had enough support and encouragement to step into a brick and mortar location without much tension or pressure. Now, I get to live the way I want to – creating my own curriculum for students and taking time away from the gym when I need it. Creating this loose, organic lifestyle is now my main motivator for remaining my own boss. Read more>>

Erik Newsholme | Owner Operator Erik the Blade” Sharpener Professional Sharpening Service”

There is a great need for a proper professional sharpener to service both commercial and residential customers. The Backyard Market in Black Forest opened close to our home in 2020, during the Pandemic, and it was the first opportunity since the beginning of the Pandemic to get outside. Once at the market, I and my wife were pleasantly surprised by the offerings of this new market so close to our home. Read more>>

Noel Graham | Software Consultant

Software is pivotal in enabling financial independence, whether creating or using. Technology can transform lives and offer opportunities for individuals to thrive. I experienced this profound impact when, as a 20-year-old Gen-X slacker, I found a path to provide for myself and, later on, for my son. The barrier to entry was low. All I needed was a computer and a few books from Barnes & Noble. This accessibility opened doors I never thought I’d find, much less walkthrough. Read more>>

Zuzia Kudasik | Freelance Sustainable Graphic Designer

While going through art school pursuing my Bachelor’s in Graphic Design, I realized the severe lack of environmental consideration throughout the design process. My passion for sustainable living began to trickle its way into my work until eventually, I was able to focus on creating sustainable design work. Read more>>

Kristine Carter | Photographer

I didn’t plan on having a business exactly. After posting my pictures of landscapes and food creations on social media, friends and companies began asking me to take pictures and write marketing copy. That’s when I realized I needed to create an LLC and obtain insurance to protect myself. This aspect of running a business terrified me. Read more>>

Seth and Emma Churchill | Commercial and Post Construction Cleaners

The thought process of starting our own business was because our goal was to work together. Since we got married, we found out that we are a great team and work really well together. We both have the mentality of putting our 100% into everything and accomplishing our job to the fullest extent possible. Read more>>

 Andrew Krimm | Executive Director, Boulder Symphony & Music Academy

The Boulder Symphony has embarked upon a noteworthy venture with the inception of the Boulder Symphony Music Academy, heralding a multifaceted approach to both educational outreach and fiscal sustainability. Primarily, the academy constitutes a significant expantion to the Symphony’s educational and community outreach program. This development resonates with the Symphony’s intrinsic mission to not only perfomr music but to cultivate it at the grassroots level. Read more>>

Sarah + Ryan Brown | Brown Collective Architecture + Design

In 2018, when we started the business, we hand-selected experiences from our past workplaces (across several industries) to help us curate this life we had envisioned for our family, and to reimagine what a workplace can look like for our employees. We explored everything about these experiences, including the cultures, values, social responsibility, customer service and client interactions, mentorship, quality of product / design, and work-life balance, and the outcome has completely shaped what it means to work with the Brown Collective Team. Read more>>

 Daniel Kelly | Freelance Photographer & Videographer

It started with a question. “How can I share my emotions without words?” Growing up my family kept a shoebox full of photos. Anytime I was in a dark place, or I felt isolated, I would go through that shoebox. It was my solidarity, bringing me joy went there wasn’t, telling a story of the past but still making me feel like I was there. There’s just a magical feeling that happens when looking at a good photo, almost indescribable. Photos not only tell stories but carry feeling, and I wanted to share that experience with everyone. Read more>> 

Brooke & Madison Loza | Co-Owners & Students

In the United States alone, the average person produces almost six pounds of trash daily, most of which ends up in burdened, overrun landfills. When we first learned this, our hearts shattered at the devastating environmental impact that our consumption creates. We believe that everyone intrinsically deserves equal access to sustainable and affordable zero waste products. Read more>>

Caleb Christopher | Creative Finance Real Estate Specialist

Be the change you want to see: There’s a clear need for information sharing and direct guidance in the world of creative finance real estate, and nobody else is doing it. I remember having to do my own deal and it was terrible, so I know this is a valuable service. Read more>>

Patrick DiMarco | Professional Photographer

I’ve always been an extremely independent person so it just made sense! I’d rather work 80 hrs a week for myself than 40 for someone else! Read more>>

 Matin Maulawizada | Makeup artist

My business started as a result of social and economical needs to provide work and education for women in Afghanistan Read more>>

Daniel Tremblay | Professional Landscape Photographer

Well…first of all, having my own business isn’t new for me! A long time ago, I was a car mechanic and I used to have my own garage. It was a small family business and I was working with my dad. What brought me into photography is a complete different thought…my father passed away before having the chance to take a single day of his retirement which is super sad. Since being a car mechanic wasn’t my passion anymore, Read more>>

Molly Cook | Chocolatier

my thought process behind starting my own business was noticing the lack of high-end chocolate and artisan bonbons in my area. When my husband and I moved to this area about five years ago, we came from working at a high-end chocolate and pastry shop, and I knew that my skills would be needed to show the people of Asheville that this high and great quality product can exist here. In addition to that, I wanted to create my own set of products and show myself just how far I could take the leap ! Read more>>

Michele Coombs | Business Coach for New Entrepreneurs

I just knew. Working a desk job, no matter how good of a job, was never fulfilling for me. At the time I made the jump I was actually in a job that I really liked! Amazing company, great team, and ample opportunity for personal growth. Read more>>

Isis Aaliyah | Tattoo Artist

Honestly the past few years I’ve realized that having power over my own schedule gives me the power to be productive in many ways, I can overall enjoy myself and make time for those I love. Having my own business gives me the authority to do so! Also just watering myself in many ways and growing if I’m going to work hard I want it to be 100% beneficial to me and my future Read more>>

JASON MINTY | Owner/Curator BECKER MINTY

Quite simply – Becker Minty was born from a thought process of ‘what’s missing in Australia (retail wise)?’ Having worked in the airline industry for many years prior to opening my own business, I had always been an avid shopper, spending most of my layover times out and about, discovering new things and bringing them back to Australia, either for myself, my family or my friends. Read more>>

RD Granados | Creative Director/Photographer

After 20+ years in the design and marketing world I thought it was time to get back to my own work and creative vision. Read more>>

Sarah Trent | Founder, CEO Valley Wellness & NJ Cannabis Certified

My parents owned their own advertising agency, so growing up I witnessed first hand the ups and downs of business ownership. My father always told me to find a job where I could work for myself. Those words stuck with me and informed a lot of the decisions that I made. Primarily, the decision to go to law school and then to work at the public defender’s office and not a big firm. Read more>>

Melly Sponselee | CO Local Brand Representative and Distributor

Before I founded SMNR, I worked for many years as a brand ambassador. I gave out samples of products to shoppers at grocery stores and educated people on the brands I was representing. I loved this work. It made me feel connected to our community in a special way. I loved to turn folks on to local and healthy products that I truly believed in and could stand behind the integrity of the way the products were made and the people that were producing them. I deeply enjoyed being instrumental to the growth of small and local businesses. Read more>>

Brionna Murray | Psychotherapist

My business originated more from the heart rather than thought. Since I was a young girl I dreamed of having my own psychotherapy practice. I loved the idea of being my own boss while serving my community. So once I completed all my educational requirements I simply followed my gut and heart which lead me to manifesting my dreams! Of course the left brain was involved in the process at times. I was very thoughtful around the ways I chose to market myself through social media, Read more>>

 

Heather Caldera | She is Social | Instagram Coach & Social Media Manager

I actually didn’t want to start a business, ever. My husband and a couple of close friends kept telling me to start my own social media business and I would continue to tell them no. I began taking on a few clients on the side and my husband continued telling me to start my own business. Eventually, I reluctantly agreed. In January of 2018, I filed for my LLC and decided that if I was going to have my own business, Read more>>

ical Therapy, Certified Vestibular Specialist & CEO

I wanted to create a better place for clinicians to work, more flexibility and loyalty. I also wanted to make things easier for clinicians in the ever burnout world of healthcare. Further, I wanted to create a better quality of care program for patients that would otherwise not receive care. Read more>>

Jason Ferneau | Private Wealth Manager & Tax Mitigation Specialist

The Great Financial Crisis of the late 2000s negatively affected many American families with my family being one of them. In late February 2009, during the apex of the Great Financial Crisis & subsequent stock market bottom, I read David Swensen’s book Pioneering Portfolio Management & it changed my life forever. Determined to bounce back, my mission became helping others financially bounce back from the GFC Read more>>